1994 Ford Explorer Gas Tank Size and Capacity

SUV 14 trims listed ← 1993 1995 →

Fuel tank capacity

19.0gal · 72 L

The 1994 Ford Explorer has a fuel tank capacity of 19.0 gallons (72 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 342–380 highway miles or 266–304 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

19.0 gal · Bigger than 52% of 1994 models we list.

Highway range
342–380 mi
City range
266–304 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
15–18 MPG
EPA size class
Special Purpose Vehicles

1994 Ford Explorer fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Drive
no difference
Engine
no difference

All 14 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
Eddie Bauer 2dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 16 / 20Range 304 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M RWD 19.0 gal72 L 16 / 20 304 / 380 mi
Eddie Bauer 2dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 15 / 20Range 285 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M 4WD 19.0 gal72 L 15 / 20 285 / 380 mi
Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 16 / 20Range 304 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M RWD 19.0 gal72 L 16 / 20 304 / 380 mi
Eddie Bauer 4dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 15 / 20Range 285 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M 4WD 19.0 gal72 L 15 / 20 285 / 380 mi
Limited 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 4A · RWD MPG 14 / 19Range 266 / 361 mi 4.0L 6cyl 4A RWD 19.0 gal72 L 14 / 19 266 / 361 mi
Limited 4dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 14 / 18Range 266 / 342 mi 4.0L 6cyl 4A 4WD 19.0 gal72 L 14 / 18 266 / 342 mi
Sport 2dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 16 / 20Range 304 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M RWD 19.0 gal72 L 16 / 20 304 / 380 mi
Sport 2dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 15 / 20Range 285 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M 4WD 19.0 gal72 L 15 / 20 285 / 380 mi
XL 2dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 16 / 20Range 304 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M RWD 19.0 gal72 L 16 / 20 304 / 380 mi
XL 2dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 15 / 20Range 285 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M 4WD 19.0 gal72 L 15 / 20 285 / 380 mi
XL 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 16 / 20Range 304 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M RWD 19.0 gal72 L 16 / 20 304 / 380 mi
XL 4dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 15 / 20Range 285 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M 4WD 19.0 gal72 L 15 / 20 285 / 380 mi
XLT 4dr SUV 4.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 16 / 20Range 304 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M RWD 19.0 gal72 L 16 / 20 304 / 380 mi
XLT 4dr SUV 4WD 4.0L 6cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 15 / 20Range 285 / 380 mi 4.0L 6cyl 5M 4WD 19.0 gal72 L 15 / 20 285 / 380 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 1994 Ford Explorer goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 18 MPG, a full 19.0-gallon tank covers about 342 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full19.0380304
3/414.3285228
1/29.5190152
1/44.89576
1/82.44838

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 833 gallons, roughly 44 full tanks.

In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.8 MPG in the Explorer (11 drivers), about 319 miles on a full 19.0-gallon tank.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

EPA combined
15–18 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
494–592 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings ↗

What it costs to fill up a 1994 Ford Explorer

$81.13 to fill the 19.0-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
19.0 galRegular$4.27$81.13$60.85

By region, 19.0-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$76.38
Midwest$4.27$81.13
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$70.30
Rocky Mountain$4.46$84.74
West Coast$5.42$102.98
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$111.91

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 19.0-gallon tank$81.13
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,558

Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

Explorer tank size in other years

The tank changed for 1994: 19.0 gal, down from 19.3 gal on the 1993 Explorer.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
1999 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 441 mi
1998 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 420 mi
1997 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 462 mi
1996 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 441 mi
1995 Explorer 17.5–21.0 gal 441 mi
1994 Explorer 19.0 gal 380 mi
1993 Explorer 19.3 gal 425 mi
1992 Explorer 19.0 gal 380 mi
1991 Explorer 19.0 gal 399 mi
Ford Explorer fuel tank by model yearSmallest tank Larger tank options

1994 Ford Explorer vs similar 1994 SUVs

At 19.0 gallons, the Explorer's largest tank ranks sixth of the seven 1994 SUVs compared here. The Mitsubishi Montero carries the most (24.3 gal) and the Toyota 4Runner the least (17.2 gal).

1994 modelTankLongest highway range
Mitsubishi Montero 24.3 gal 413 mi
Jeep Grand Cherokee 23.0 gal 460 mi
Isuzu Trooper 22.5 gal 383 mi
Oldsmobile Bravada 20.0 gal 380 mi
Mazda Navajo 19.3 gal 367 mi
Ford Explorer 19.0 gal 380 mi
Toyota 4Runner 17.2 gal 344 mi

Picked by body style and size: other 1994 SUVs within about 5% of the Explorer's length and 15% of its curb weight, one model per brand.

1994 Ford Explorer fuel system recalls

None of the 4 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1994 Ford Explorer involve the fuel system.

Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ Look up your tank by VIN

1994 Ford Explorer fuel pump and gauge parts

NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 1994 Ford Explorer, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1994 Ford Explorer?

The 1994 Ford Explorer holds 19.0 gallons (72 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 1994 Ford Explorer gas tank hold?

The 1994 Ford Explorer tank holds 72 liters, or 19.0 gallons in US gallons.

Does 4WD change the 1994 Ford Explorer gas tank?

No. RWD and 4WD versions of the 1994 Ford Explorer use the same 19.0 gal tank.

How far can a 1994 Ford Explorer go on a full tank?

About 342–380 miles on the highway and 266–304 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 1994 Ford Explorer go on a quarter tank?

About 95 highway miles or 76 in town from the 19.0-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.8 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

How many miles does a 1994 Ford Explorer really get on a tank?

Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 16.8 MPG in the 1994 Ford Explorer (11 drivers), which works out to about 319 miles on a full 19.0-gallon tank.

What gas does the 1994 Ford Explorer take?

Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 1994 Ford Explorer?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 19.0-gallon tank from empty costs $81.13. It ranges from $70.30 in the Gulf Coast to $111.91 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1994 Ford Explorer?

About 118 pounds for the 19.0-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 1994 Ford Explorer have a bigger gas tank than the Oldsmobile Bravada?

No. The 1994 Oldsmobile Bravada holds up to 20.0 gallons; the 1994 Ford Explorer holds up to 19.0.

Has the 1994 Ford Explorer had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

No. None of the 4 recalls NHTSA lists for the 1994 Ford Explorer involve the fuel system.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, cross-checked against a second spec database. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026.
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database.
  • Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 1994 Ford models